Albania's governing Socialists sue ex-premier Sali Berisha

TIRANA, Albania – Albania's governing Socialist Party says they have sued former prime minister Sali Berisha for calling on citizens to arm themselves.

The request was handed to the prosecutor general's office Friday, according to lawmaker Taulant Balla.

Speaking at a parliamentary session last week, Berisha accused the government of having links to crime gangs and urged Albanians to get weapons to protect themselves. Parliament has suspended Berisha for 10 days, prompting his opposition Democratic Party to boycott Parliament.

Gun ownership is illegal in Albania. Berisha could face charges that could result in a jail sentence of up to 10 years.

Berisha stepped down as prime minister and the Democrats' leader in 2013 after his center-right party was defeated in a parliamentary election.